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Council of Canadians supports historic Watershed Declaration by Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation

Media Release

July 7, 2011

The Council of Canadians is calling on government and industry to recognize the historic Watershed Declaration (link below) announced yesterday by the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (KI) saying that the declaration shows the wisdom and courage needed to preserve our planet for future generations.

The Watershed Declaration received overwhelming support in a community referendum and covers a 13,025 square kilometer area of boreal lakes, rivers, forest, and wetlands in the KI Homeland prohibiting “industrial uses, or other uses which disrupt, poison, or otherwise harm our relationship to these lands and waters...”

“This declaration is a beacon of hope. The community is putting the needs of their children and future generation ahead of short term profit. While we may do this as individuals, Canadian society as a whole behaves like we are the last ones that will have to live on this planet’ says Maude Barlow, National Chair of the Council of Canadians. “Our own political leadership couldn’t care less about what happens after they are gone. The Watershed Declaration is a great example that we can all learn from and we must incorporate the wisdom that created it into our own decisions before it is too late.”